42 research outputs found
Virtual Training for Managing Emerging Zoonotic Diseases including COVID-19
The burden of zoonotic diseases is an important global issue affecting human and animal health, food value chains, international trade, and the environment. Two-thirds of the infectious diseases affecting human health are of animal origin. Information and knowledge of zoonotic diseases and associated effects is critical for managing these diseases. The World TAP at Michigan State University offered an online course in zoonotic diseases in March 2021, which a diverse group of 42 participants from 15 countries in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Americas attended. Grounded on Experiential Leaning Theory this paper discusses the conceptualization, design, implementation, outcomes of, and lessons-learned from this course. Key contents of this comprehensive course included epidemiology of zoonotic diseases, zoonoses of wildlife origin, utilizing a One Health approach to managing zoonoses, and roles of regional/international organizations in strengthening zoonotic disease management capacities, and the lessons-learned from the pandemic on diagnosis, prevention, and prediction of zoonotic diseases. The paired t-test results using pre- and post-course survey data showed significant increases in the participantsâ level of knowledge on zoonoses post-course. in comparison to their pre-course knowledge. During the interactive discussion, participants stressed the need for continuing information sharing, and networking. For future offerings, the participants suggested adding impacts of zoonoses on international trade, and effect of climate change on zoonoses., and increasing collaborations between national, regional, and international organizations working on zoonoses. With the success of the first offering, MSU will continue to offer this course in the future, may be in a hybrid mode
The role of neighborhood level socioeconomic characteristics in Salmonella infections in Michigan (1997â2007): Assessment using geographic information system
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background:</p> <p>The majority of U.S. disease surveillance systems contain incomplete information regarding socioeconomic status (SES) indicators like household or family income and educational attainment in case reports, which reduces the usefulness of surveillance data for these parameters. We investigated the association between select SES attributes at the neighborhood level and <it>Salmonella </it>infections in the three most populated counties in Michigan using a geographic information system.</p> <p>Methods:</p> <p>We obtained data on income, education, and race from the 2000 U.S. Census, and the aggregate number of laboratory-confirmed cases of salmonellosis (1997â2006) at the block group level from the Michigan Department of Community Health. We used ArcGIS to visualize the distribution, and Poisson regression analysis to study associations between potential predictor variables and <it>Salmonella </it>infections.</p> <p>Results:</p> <p>Based on data from 3,419 block groups, our final multivariate model revealed that block groups with lower educational attainment were less commonly represented among cases than their counterparts with higher education levels (< high school degree vs. â„ college degree: rate ratio (RR) = 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.63, 0.99; â„ and high school degree, but no college degree vs. â„ college degree: RR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.76, 0.92). Levels of education also showed a dose-response relation with the outcome variable, i.e., decreasing years of education was associated with a decrease in <it>Salmonella </it>infections incidence at the block group level.</p> <p>Conclusion:</p> <p>Education plays a significant role in health-seeking behavior at the population level. It is conceivable that a reporting bias may exist due to a greater detection of <it>Salmonella </it>infections among high education block groups compared to low education block groups resulting from differential access to healthcare. In addition, individuals of higher education block groups who also have greater discretionary income may eat outside the home frequently and be more likely to own pets considered reservoirs of <it>Salmonella</it>, which increase the likelihood of contracting <it>Salmonella </it>infections compared to their counterparts with lower levels of education. Public health authorities should focus on improving the level of disease detection and reporting among communities with lower income and education and further evaluate the role of higher educational attainment in the predisposition for salmonellosis.</p
Case-control study of disease determinants for non-typhoidal Salmonella infections among Michigan children
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Infections with <it>Salmonella </it>serotypes continue to be a significant global public health problem. In addition to contaminated foods, several other sources contribute to infections with <it>Salmonella </it>serotypes. We have assessed the role of socioeconomic factors, exposure to food, and environmental sources in the etiology of non-typhoidal <it>Salmonella </it>infections in Michigan children.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>A case-control study among Michigan children aged †10 years was conducted. A total of 123 cases of children with laboratory-confirmed <it>Salmonella </it>infections and 139 control children, who had not experienced symptoms of gastrointestinal illness during the month prior to the interviews, were enrolled. The cases and controls were matched on age-category (<1 year, 2-<6 years and 6-10 years). Data on socioeconomic status, food intake, and environmental exposures, were collected on the queried case and control subjects. After adjusting for race and household-income the final regression multivariable model revealed that <it>Salmonella </it>infections were significantly associated with attendance of a daycare center (adjusted matched odds ratio = 5.00, 95% CI: 1.51 - 16.58), contact with cats (MOR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.14 - 5.88), and contact with reptiles (MOR = 7.90, 95% CI: 1.52 - 41.01), during the 3 days prior to the onset of child's illness.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Study results suggest that exposure to environmental sources may play an important role in sporadic infections with <it>Salmonella </it>serotypes in children. Additional efforts are needed to educate parents and caretakers about the risk of <it>Salmonella </it>transmission to children from these sources.</p
Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Michigan, USA, 2007
Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) infections, which are always methicillin-resistant, are a rare but serious public health concern. We examined 2 cases in Michigan in 2007. Both patients had underlying illnesses. Isolates were vanA-positive. VRSA was neither transmitted to or from another known VRSA patient nor transmitted from patients to identified contacts
Human Mycobacterium bovis Infection and Bovine Tuberculosis Outbreak, Michigan, 1994â2007
Mycobacterium bovis is endemic in Michiganâs white-tailed deer and has been circulating since 1994. The strain circulating in deer has remained genotypically consistent and was recently detected in 2 humans. We summarize the investigation of these cases and confirm that recreational exposure to deer is a risk for infection in humans
Volume 06
Introduction from Dean Dr. Charles Ross
Caught Between Folklore and the Cold War: The Americanization of Russian Children\u27s Literature by Kristen Gains
Graphic Design by Amanda Willis
Graphic Design by Holly Backer
Prejudices in Swiss German Accents by Monika Gutierrez
Photography by Cara O\u27Neal
Photography by Sara Nelson
Edmund Tyrone\u27s Long Journey through Night by Sasha Silberman
Photography by Jessica Beardsley
Photography by Jamie Gardner and Edward Peeples
The Republican Razor: The Guillotine as a Symbol of Equality by Jamie Clift
Graphic Design by Matthew Sakach
Genocide: The Lasting Effects of Gender Stratification in Rwanda By Tess Lione and Emily Wilkins
Photography by Kelsey Holt and Jessica Page
Morocco and the 20 February Movement by Charles Vancampen, Gilbert Hall, Jenny Nehrt, Kasey Dye, Amanda Tharp, Jamie Leeawrik, & Ashley McGee
Photography by Emily Poulin
Photography by Michael Kropf
Improving Performance of Arbitrary Precision Arithmetic Using SIMD Assembly Code Instructions by Nick Pastore
Art by Austin Polasky and Morgan Glasco
Art by Laura L. Kahler
The Effects of the Neutral Response Option on the Extremeness of Participant Responses by Melinda L. Edwards and Brandon C. Smith
Graphic Design by Mariah Asbell
Graphic Design by Cabell Edmunds
College Bullying: An Exploratory Analysis by Amelia D. Perry
Photography by Alyssa Hayes
Death-Related Crime: Applying Bryant\u27s Conceptual Paradigm of Thanatological Crime to Military Settings by Irina Boothe
Graphic Design by Perry Bason
Graphic Design by James Earl
Adjunctive rifampicin for Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (ARREST): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia is a common cause of severe community-acquired and hospital-acquired infection worldwide. We tested the hypothesis that adjunctive rifampicin would reduce bacteriologically confirmed treatment failure or disease recurrence, or death, by enhancing early S aureus killing, sterilising infected foci and blood faster, and reducing risks of dissemination and metastatic infection. METHODS: In this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, adults (â„18 years) with S aureus bacteraemia who had received â€96 h of active antibiotic therapy were recruited from 29 UK hospitals. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) via a computer-generated sequential randomisation list to receive 2 weeks of adjunctive rifampicin (600 mg or 900 mg per day according to weight, oral or intravenous) versus identical placebo, together with standard antibiotic therapy. Randomisation was stratified by centre. Patients, investigators, and those caring for the patients were masked to group allocation. The primary outcome was time to bacteriologically confirmed treatment failure or disease recurrence, or death (all-cause), from randomisation to 12 weeks, adjudicated by an independent review committee masked to the treatment. Analysis was intention to treat. This trial was registered, number ISRCTN37666216, and is closed to new participants. FINDINGS: Between Dec 10, 2012, and Oct 25, 2016, 758 eligible participants were randomly assigned: 370 to rifampicin and 388 to placebo. 485 (64%) participants had community-acquired S aureus infections, and 132 (17%) had nosocomial S aureus infections. 47 (6%) had meticillin-resistant infections. 301 (40%) participants had an initial deep infection focus. Standard antibiotics were given for 29 (IQR 18-45) days; 619 (82%) participants received flucloxacillin. By week 12, 62 (17%) of participants who received rifampicin versus 71 (18%) who received placebo experienced treatment failure or disease recurrence, or died (absolute risk difference -1·4%, 95% CI -7·0 to 4·3; hazard ratio 0·96, 0·68-1·35, p=0·81). From randomisation to 12 weeks, no evidence of differences in serious (p=0·17) or grade 3-4 (p=0·36) adverse events were observed; however, 63 (17%) participants in the rifampicin group versus 39 (10%) in the placebo group had antibiotic or trial drug-modifying adverse events (p=0·004), and 24 (6%) versus six (2%) had drug interactions (p=0·0005). INTERPRETATION: Adjunctive rifampicin provided no overall benefit over standard antibiotic therapy in adults with S aureus bacteraemia. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment
Extreme drought impacts have been underestimated in grasslands and shrublands globally
Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of short-term (~1 y) drought events-the most common duration of drought-globally. Yet the impact of this intensification of drought on ecosystem functioning remains poorly resolved. This is due in part to the widely disparate approaches ecologists have employed to study drought, variation in the severity and duration of drought studied, and differences among ecosystems in vegetation, edaphic and climatic attributes that can mediate drought impacts. To overcome these problems and better identify the factors that modulate drought responses, we used a coordinated distributed experiment to quantify the impact of short-term drought on grassland and shrubland ecosystems. With a standardized approach, we imposed ~a single year of drought at 100 sites on six continents. Here we show that loss of a foundational ecosystem function-aboveground net primary production (ANPP)-was 60% greater at sites that experienced statistically extreme drought (1-in-100-y event) vs. those sites where drought was nominal (historically more common) in magnitude (35% vs. 21%, respectively). This reduction in a key carbon cycle process with a single year of extreme drought greatly exceeds previously reported losses for grasslands and shrublands. Our global experiment also revealed high variability in drought response but that relative reductions in ANPP were greater in drier ecosystems and those with fewer plant species. Overall, our results demonstrate with unprecedented rigor that the global impacts of projected increases in drought severity have been significantly underestimated and that drier and less diverse sites are likely to be most vulnerable to extreme drought